Josh Morgan: VDN 2025 Head Football Coach of the Year

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — When it came to proving doubters wrong, Josh Morgan did just that.

The 2025 season became a magical one for the Warren Central High School football program under Morgan’s leadership. In his 16th year as head coach, he guided the Vikings to a state championship, the program’s first in 31 years and a moment that redefined the standard for Viking football.

For his efforts, Morgan has been named the VDN 2025 Head Football Coach of the Year.

After a hard-fought season, Warren Central found greatness through discipline, belief and strong leadership. The Vikings finished 12-2, claiming district and North State titles before completing the journey with a state championship.

“I’m very proud, and this group represented us just as good as a team can represent a team and a community, especially by how hard they worked and competed,” Morgan said.

Following a Week 1 loss, many counted Morgan and the Vikings out. Instead, the team responded with accountability and resolve. Adjustments were made, and one week later Warren Central delivered a 28-0 shutout against Pearl.

“We owned that together, and we all agreed to fix what needed to be fixed,” Morgan said. “Their response was just right, and we made sure it didn’t happen again.”

Development proved to be a major key to the Vikings’ success. After losing 10 defensive starters to graduation, Morgan knew new leaders would have to emerge. Players who had patiently waited their turn stepped into bigger roles, as the entire defensive line was rebuilt. T’Kylan Wright, Crishun Brown, Jamari Gaines and Samuel Ross rose to the challenge and made their presence known.

Veteran leaders Micah Moore, Fabian Davenport and Landon Green were already expected to do great things, and they led by example throughout the season.

“It’s a testament to all of them,” Morgan said. “Those guys have been waiting, working and watching. It doesn’t get more satisfying than seeing them win.”

In what felt like the blink of an eye, Morgan found himself back at his old stomping grounds at Mississippi State University, coaching in a state championship game for the first time in his head coaching career. After defeating Ridgeland in the North State Championship, the Vikings earned the opportunity to face Hattiesburg High School with a title on the line.

Warren Central’s defense faced challenges in the first half of the championship game, but halftime adjustments slowed Hattiesburg’s passing attack and shifted momentum as time wound down and the Vikings closed in on the gold ball.

“As the time was ticking, it was just an overwhelming sense of thankfulness and gratitude,” Morgan said. “They were playing for their communities, their teammates and past players. They wrote their own story, so it was just awesome.”

Despite the individual honor, Morgan was quick to credit those around him. He emphasized that the award belongs to his entire coaching staff, whom he called the foundation of the championship program.

“This is a staff award, and I’m just accepting it on behalf of them,” Morgan said. “They’re invested in the community and in our kids’ lives.”

With 16 years of head coaching experience and a long-awaited state championship ring, Morgan still has plenty of fuel left in the tank. As Year 17 approaches, the standard has been set — and the belief in Warren Central football is stronger than ever.